Peace Games - Site Visit

UPDATE!!!

The site visit will be on Thursday only. The date on Wednesday was canceled.

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In addition to the great work we're doing with Save the Children, we are also currently working with Peace Games, an organization that teaches and empowers children––as young as four years old––to be peacemakers in their schools and communities. They're dedicated to ending the escalating trend of youth violence in this country, and are currently operating in schools in New York City, Chicago, LA, and Boston.

Peace Games believes that children are peacemakers, not simply victims, perpetrators, or witnesses of violence. The mission of Peace Games is to support young people as peacemakers and to change the way our nation views young people in the context of violence. Research tells us that violence is learned, that just as our students learn how to read or ride a bike, our children learn how to fight, hate, and kill. If violence can be learned, so can the skills of peacemaking.

Here's one of my favorite “Peace Tales,” right from the schools, told by Peace Games coordinator Tami Ross:

Two fifth grade boys were brought to the office for stabbing each other on the playground. They were told sternly to sit down and not talk, while the school police were being called. I was on my way to teach a class, but watching the boys’ conflict escalate as they glared at each other gave me an idea.

First, I talked with them about conflict, and had them tell me their perspectives of what had happened. I asked if they understood the consequences and that now they would be suspended. Then, I went back to my office and got supplies for the gum drop toothpick structure activity. I instructed them to build the tallest tower they could.

When I came back they were smiling and high five-ing each other. The boys were eager to inform me that they had built “The Empire State Building.” When the school police arrived, an officer passed right by the boys building the tower and asked, “Where are the kids who are in trouble?”

Peace Games, in partnership with educators, parents, students, and community members, has had a dramatic effect in its communities. Some highlights of their work from a recent study:

• 94% of Peace Games students reported that Peace Games helped improve their peacemaking skills (communication, cooperation, conflict resolution, and engagement).
• 91% of students reported that Peace Games helped them improve their academics.
• 84% of students reported that involvement in Peace Games helped improve their school attendance.
• 78% of students reported that they are more likely to walk away from a fight without thinking of themselves as cowards.

Having visited a Peace Games school, I've seen the value of their work firsthand. I believe so strongly in the effectiveness of their programs, that I'm volunteering my time to work for Peace Games, I'm working to expand Peace Games into Brooklyn and I'm working with them to establish a larger national presence for Peace Games.

We would like to offer you the same opportunity.

We're hosting visits to schools in Manhattan on:

Thursday, Jan. 22 @ 12:00pm

Visit a school with us. See the difference this program came make, not only for the kids, but for the communities in which they live.

Let us know if you can make one of these trips. E-mail Don (don@authenticM.com) for details.

For more information about Peace Games, please visit: www.peacegames.org